Hearing aid, training device, game device, and audio output device

ABSTRACT

The present invention provides a hearing aid in which at least one portion of an input sound signal is divided into a frequency band signal, and a single or a plurality of the frequency band signals are subjected to noise to generate a Noise-Vocoded Speech Sound signal, which a user can hear. Such a hearing aid facilitates activation of the brain and is expected to provide an effect on treatment or training of people with a neural disorder. Such a hearing aid lets a Noise-Vocoded Speech Sound signal recognized by utilizing normal portions of the brain to the maximum level and the Noise-Vocoded Speech Sound signal is compensated for by other normal portions of the brain, in order to let a person with hearing difficulty understand the meaning of the input sound.

TECHNICAL FIELD

The present invention relates to a hearing aid, a hearing trainingdevice, a game device and other devices that employ Noise-Vocoded SpeechSound obtained by subjecting at least one frequency band signal of asound signal to noise. In particular, the present invention relates todevices suitable to people with a neural disorder and trainers fortraining for recovery from a neural disorder.

BACKGROUND ART

Conventionally, in some hearing aids, frequency characteristicscompensation or limitation of a dynamic range is performed with respectto audio input in accordance with the hearing characteristics that areleft for a person with hearing disorder in order to improve theintelligibility. For people with a neural disorder, such a hearing aidmay not be capable of providing sufficient intelligibility.

On the other hand, in research on recognition of sound signals, it hascome to be known that a speech can be recognized to a considerableextent without hearing a complete sound signal, that is, even if acomponent of a sound signal is subjected to noise by a predeterminedmethod.

According to such a research, a sound signal is divided into fourfrequency bands (0 to 600, 600 to 1500, 1500 to 2500, 2500 to 4000 Hz),each sound signal is subjected to half-wave rectification and is appliedto a 16 Hz lowpass filter so as to obtain an amplitude envelope of eachfrequency band, and is multiplied by a band noise corresponding to eachfrequency band, and the thus obtained signals are added to generate asignal. Such a signal is referred to as “Noise-Vocoded Speech Sound”. Ithas been reported that when people with normal hearing ability heard theNoise-Vocoded Speech Sound, an intelligibility of about 80% wasobtained.

However, conventional hearing aids often do not provide an adequateintelligibility to people with neural disorders or some of the peoplewith hearing disorders. It is necessary to provide a hearing aid thathas an effect on such people and further allows brain activity to beactivated. Furthermore, it is necessary to provide a device for trainingthe hearing ability of people with a neural disorder or some of thepeople with hearing disorders. Moreover, it is necessary to train peoplewith normal hearing ability to recognize speeches produced by peoplewith a neural disorder.

DISCLOSURE OF INVENTION

The present invention provides a hearing aid in which at least oneportion of an input sound signal is divided into frequency band signalsand a single or a plurality of the frequency band signals are subjectedto noise to generate a Noise-Vocoded Speech Sound signal, which a usercan hear. Such a hearing aid facilitates activation of the brain and isexpected to provide an effect on treatment or training of people with aneural disorder. Such a hearing aid lets a Noise-Vocoded Speech Soundsignal recognized by utilizing normal portions of the brain to themaximum level and the Noise-Vocoded Speech Sound signal is compensatedfor by other normal portions of the brain, in order to let a person withhearing difficulty understand the meaning of the input sound.

The present invention provides a training device in which aNoise-Vocoded Speech Sound signal obtained by dividing at least oneportion of a sound signal into frequency band signals and subjecting asingle or a plurality of the frequency band signals to noise to atrainee, the trainee pronounces the recognized words and learns thecorrectness. Such a training device has an effect of promoting theactivation of the brain activity. Such a training device is useful intraining a trainee to understand language and, for trainers, this isuseful in training for improving the training ability. Such a hearingaid lets a Noise-Vocoded Speech Sound signal recognized by utilizingnormal portions of the brain to the maximum level and the Noise-VocodedSpeech Sound signal is compensated for by other normal portions of thebrain, in order to let a person with hearing difficulty understand themeaning of the input sound.

The present invention provides a game device in which a Noise-VocodedSpeech Sound signal obtained by dividing at least one portion of a soundsignal into frequency band signals and subjecting a single or aplurality of the frequency band signals to noise to a game player, thegame player pronounces the recognized words and competes in the ratio ofcorrectness or the number of correct answers. Such a game device has aneffect of promoting the activation of the brain activity. Such atraining device is useful in training a trainee to understand languageand, for trainers, this is useful in training for improving the trainingability. Apart from training, such a game device can be a game devicefor normal people as a game for guessing words or sentences from theNoise-Vocoded Speech Sound.

Furthermore, a sound output device of the present invention generates aNoise-Vocoded Speech Sound signal in which a component of a sound sourcesignal is subjected to noise by extracting a signal with a predeterminedfrequency band from the sound source signal by a first band filteringportion having a plurality of band filters; extracting an amplitudeenvelope of each frequency band signal by an envelope extracting portionhaving an envelope extractor; applying a noise source signal to a secondfiltering portion having a plurality of band filters to extract a noisesignal corresponding to the predetermined frequency band; multiplying anoutput from the first band filtering portion by an output from thesecond band filtering portion in a multiplying portion; and accumulatingoutputs from the multiplying portion in an adding portion. If this soundoutput device is configured so that the number of band filters or thefrequency boundary of the frequency bands can be selected or changed,this sound output device can be used for various purposes. Furthermore,with automatic language recognition, when the number of band filters orthe frequency boundary of the frequency bands is selected or changedsuitably with a language, this device can be used by a plurality ofpeoples with different nationalities, and can be used for training offoreign languages.

The hearing aid, the training device, and the game device of the presentinvention can be implemented with the procedures of a computer programor the like, and therefore can be made into a program recording mediumstoring a program that is executed by a computer or a program that isexecuted by a computer.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a block diagram of a hearing aid according to one embodimentof the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a block diagram of a training device according to oneembodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 3 is a block diagram of a training device or a game deviceaccording to one embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 4 is a flowchart showing the behavior of a hearing aid according toone embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 5 is a flowchart showing the behavior of a training device or agame device according to one embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 6 is a block diagram of a hearing aid according to one embodimentof the present invention.

FIG. 7 is a block diagram of a training device according to oneembodiment of the present invention.

BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION

Hereinafter, embodiments of a hearing aid and the like will be describedwith reference to the accompanying drawings. It should be noted thatcomponents bearing the same reference numeral in the embodiments performthe same operation and may not be described in duplicate.

Embodiment 1

FIG. 1 is a block diagram of a hearing aid of the present invention. InFIG. 1, a sound signal input from a microphone is applied to a bandfiltering portion 1 via an input terminal 7. The band filtering portion1 has a plurality of band filters 1 a, 1 b, 1 c and 1 d for extractingsignals having a predetermined frequency band. Output signals from theband filters 1 a, 1 b, 1 c and 1 d are applied to envelope extractors 2a, 2 b, 2 c and 2 d, respectively, of an envelope extracting portion 2so that the amplitude envelope of each frequency band signal isextracted. A noise signal output from a noise source 5 is applied to aband filtering portion 4 having a plurality of band filters 4 a, 4 b, 4c and 4 d, to be divided into noise signals having the same frequencybands as those of the band filtering portion 1. The outputs from theenvelope extractors 2 a, 2 b, 2 c and 2 d and the outputs from the bandfilters 4 a, 4 b, 4 c and 4 d are multiplied for each corresponding bandin a multiplying portion 3 having multipliers 3 a, 3 b, 3 c and 3 d. Themultiplied results are summed up in an adding portion 6, and then becomeoutput signals in an output terminal 8.

When the thus-created Noise-Vocoded Speech Sound is emitted through anearphone for listening, some of the people with hearing difficulty(e.g., hearing difficulty with a neural disorder) may experience abetter intelligibility than with conventional hearing aids, so that theNoise-Vocoded Speech Sound can be used for a hearing aid. Morespecifically, this allows people with a neural disorder to recognize theNoise-Vocoded Speech Sound with normal portions of the brain, and thebrain (in general, portions different from the normal portions) tocompensate the portion of audio information that can be recognized sothat the input sound can be understood. In other words, according to theabove-described hearing aid, the hearing ability can be recovered byutilizing the normal portions of the brain effectively to the maximum.

Furthermore, such a Noise-Vocoded Speech Sound is expected to activatethe activity of the brain of a person with a neural disorder, and notonly a function of compensation of hearing ability, but also an effectof training for recovery of a brain with disorder or treatment thereofcan be expected. Furthermore, in the case of a person with a hearingdifficulty who does not have a neural disorder but has a disorder in theacoustic conduction system of the external ear or the middle ear or inthe middle from the acoustic perception system of the internal ear tothe central nervous system, the Noise-Vocoded Speech Sound can allow thebrain to enhance the function of compensating the disorder in the middleso as to improve the illegibility.

Next, a variation of the hearing aid will be described. For example,when a person with hearing difficulty has a poor sensitivity to acertain frequency band, the frequency characteristics that compensatefor a reduction in the sensitivity to that frequency can be provided tothe frequency characteristics of each band filter. Furthermore, in thecase where there is a limit on the range of the sound volume that can beheard so that sound cannot be heard in a small sound volume, and soundcannot be recognized because it is distorted in a large sound volume,then the non-linear multiplication characteristics for correcting thedynamic range as appropriate can be provided to each of the multipliers3 a, 3 b, 3 c and 3 d of the multiplying portion 3.

In FIG. 1, the sound signals of all of the four frequency bands arereplaced by frequency band noise signals, but sound signals of a part ofthe frequency bands are not supplied to the multiplying portion 3 butsupplied directly to the adder 6, so that sound signal components can beleft. Also with respect to each of the frequency bands whose soundsignal components are to be left, a correction corresponding todegradation of the dynamic range or the frequency characteristics ofhearing disorder may be performed.

As described above, according to the present invention, a hearing aidcan be provided in which at least one portion of an input sound signalis divided to a single or a plurality of frequency band signals andsubjected to noise to generate Noise-Vocoded Speech Sound signals, whicha user can hear, and the activation of the brain can be facilitated bythis hearing aid so that an effect on treatment and training of peoplewith a neural disorder can be expected.

Embodiment 2

FIG. 2 is a block diagram of a training device using the Noise-VocodedSpeech Sound of the present invention. In FIG. 2, the band filteringportion 1, the envelope extracting portion 2, the multiplying portion 3,and the band filtering portion 4, the noise source 5, and the addingportion 6 have the same configurations as in those FIG. 1. The soundsource signal portion 10 stores sound signals of various words orsentences. A sound source selection control portion 11 selects anddesignates a sound signal of a predetermined word or sentence bysupplying a control signal to the sound signal portion 10. The soundsource signal portion 10 outputs the sound signal of the designated wordor sentence to the band filtering portion 1. The Noise-Vocoded SpeechSound signal of that word or sentence is obtained from an outputterminal 8. This is listened to by a trainee. A trainer operates thesound source selection control portion 11 according to a trainingprogram, and has a trainee listen to the words or the sentencessequentially, and the trainee listens to the Noise-Vocoded Speech Soundsand pronounces the recognized words or sentences to the trainer. Thetrainer judges whether they are correct or incorrect and lets thetrainee know the results, and then proceeds to the next step. Thetrainee learns by being informed of whether their responses are corrector incorrect. The trainer selects words or sentences that are to besupplied next, depending on their accuracy.

For the frequency bands of the band filters of the band filteringportions 1 and 4, 0 to 600 Hz, 600 to 1500 Hz, 1500 to 2500 Hz, and 2500to 4000 Hz are used as the standard frequency bands. A band selectingportion 12 can switch the above-described frequency bands of the bandfiltering portions 1 and 4. For example, the number of frequency bandscan be selected among 1, 2, 3, and 4. This is because the four frequencybands are necessary, depending on the words, that is, whether the soundis a vowel sound, a consonant, an explosive sound or the like. Forexample, the number of the frequency bands can be 2 by setting theoutput from the band filters 1 c, 1 d, 4 c and 4 d to 0. Furthermore,with respect to all or any part of the band filters, the boundaryfrequency defining the frequency bands can be switched to otherfrequencies than 600 Hz, 1500 Hz, 2500 Hz, and 4000 Hz. 600 Hz, 1500 Hz,2500 Hz, and 4000 Hz are close to the standard frequency boundary thatseparates the vowel sounds of sound, that is, /a/, /i/, /u/, /e/, and/o/ in Japanese by the first and the second formants. However, thefrequency boundary may be slightly different from person to person. Itis expected to improve the training effect by adjusting and changing theboundary of the frequency bands in accordance with such a differencebetween individuals, so that the device is configured such that theboundary can be switched and selected. Furthermore, foreign languageshave a vowel system different from that of Japanese, so that the devicemay be configured such that the number of the band filters or theboundary frequency can be switched in order to be used with foreignlanguages.

For use with foreign languages, a language automatic recognition portionmay be provided and automatically recognize words or sentences that havebeen input first by a trainee and a trainer through a microphone. Then,the language automatic recognition portion may supply data about thecountry to the band selecting portion 12, and the band selecting portion12 may set the number of the band filters and the frequency bandboundary corresponding to the language of the country in the bandfiltering portion 1 and 4.

It should be noted that selection or switching of the number of the bandfilters and the frequency band boundary, and selection or switching ofthe number of the band filters and the frequency band boundary by thelanguage automatic recognition portion as described above can be appliedto the hearing aid described in Embodiment 1.

As described above, the present invention provides an effect offacilitating the activation of the activity of the brain by theabove-described training device. The present invention is useful totrain a trainee to understand language or to train a trainer to improvethe training ability.

Embodiment 3

FIG. 3 is a block diagram of a training device using the Noise-VocodedSpeech Sound of the present invention. Referring to this block diagram,the aspects that are different from FIG. 2 will be described. TheNoise-Vocoded Speech Sound output from the adding portion 6 is presentedto a trainee through a headphone 13. The sound source selection controlportion 11 has a function of controlling generation of display signals,in addition to the function of selecting a sound source signal, anddisplays an instruction to a trainee or a response to words or sentenceswith Noise-Vocoded Speech Sound with texts on a screen of a displaydevice 14. A response input portion 15 is a keyboard with whichrecognized words or sentences are input. Information signals from theresponse input portion 15 are transmitted to the sound source selectioncontrol portion 11, and the sound source selection control portion 11analyses the content of the response and selects words or sentences thatare to be presented next, according to the response results.

A training program is contained in the sound source selection controlportion 11. For example, 10 basic words or sentences constitute one set,and words or sentences are presented sequentially one by one. A traineelistens to the Noise-Vocoded Speech Sound thereof and inputs recognizedwords or sentences as a response with Japanese characters to theresponse input portion 15. The sound source selection control portion 11counts correct and incorrect responses and displays correct answers onthe display device 14 and presents again the Noise-Vocoded Speech Soundat the same time. After the presentation of and the responses to the tenwords or sentences, the ratio of the correct responses is displayed.Finally, the ten words or the sentences of the problems are presentedagain for confirmation. Thus, the trainee can learn by himself without atrainer. The sound source selection control portion 11 starts a nextproblem program having an appropriate difficulty, depending on the ratioof the correct responses.

When presenting the Noise-Vocoded Speech Sound, its sound may bedisplayed in the display device with texts. For example, a correctsentence and a plurality of partially incorrect sentences that may bemisheard easily may be displayed, and a trainee may input the numberassigned to the sentence that he/she thinks correct to the responseinput portion 15.

The selection of the filters in the band filtering portions 1 and 4, theselection and switching of the boundary of the band frequencies and theselection and switching by the language automatic recognition portion,which are described in Embodiment 2, can be applied to this embodiment.

According to this embodiment, with the above-described training device,trainees can be trained by themselves.

Embodiment 4

The learning procedure with the configuration of FIG. 3 is also a kindof game. A game device can be realized with the above-describedconfiguration as the basis. First, the title of a game or a menu forselecting the degree of difficulty are displayed, and a game playerselects the degree of difficulty from the response input portion 15, andthe sound source selection control portion 11 selects the Noise-VocodedSpeech Sounds of words or sentences with the selected degree ofdifficulty. The ratio of correct responses may be recorded or the numberof correct responses may be displayed in the display device 14 during agame. When a high mark is obtained, an amusing view appears on thescreen as a prize so that the play can be amused. It can be designed inthe form of a competition as to how many questions were answered in apredetermined period of time or how many correct responses were providedIn such a game, a game device may be designed for handicapped people ormay be designed for normal people. The presented content, thepresentation speed, and the presented view can be designed asappropriate, depending on the person who uses it.

The game player may select the degree of difficulty of the game byoperating the band selecting portion 12. For example, the number offilters may be selected among 1 to 4. The original words or sentencescan be understood more easily in the case of four band filters than inthe case of one band filter, so that the game player can select thelevel of the difficulty of the game.

Embodiment 5

Hereinafter, an embodiment of a method for hearing with an aid will bedescribed. FIG. 4 is an example of a flowchart of a method forimplementing a function of the hearing aid according to the presentinvention.

In the sound input procedure (S10), an input sound signal from amicrophone of the hearing aid is AD-converted for preparation to supplysound data to the band filtering procedure (S12). This procedure issteadily performed hereinafter. Next, in the band selection procedure(S11), the number of the band frequencies or the boundary frequencies ofthe band frequencies for band filtering that is performed in the bandfiltering procedures (S12) and (S14) below is changed or set, ifnecessary. This procedure is performed in response to an operation by auser. If there is such an operation, this procedure is omitted. Next, inthe band filtering procedure (S12), sound data is filtered, based on thenumber of the band frequencies or the boundary frequency of the bandfrequencies of the band filtering that are set. In the envelopeextraction procedure (S13), the envelope component data of the filteredsound data is extracted. Then, in the band filtering procedures (S14),noise signals of white noise are filtered, according to the number ofthe band frequencies or the boundary frequencies of the band frequenciesfor band filtering that are set, so that band noise signal data isgenerated. The envelope component data and the band noise signal dataare multiplied in the following multiplication procedure (S15), and whenthe multiplication results are obtained for a plurality of frequencybands, they are accumulated in the adding procedure (S16). Theaccumulated sound data is Noise-Vocoded Speech Sound data. In the signalpresentation procedure (S17), this is presented to the user through anearphone in the form of a DA-converted analog sound signal forlistening.

The procedures (S10) to (S17) may be performed sequentially according toFIG. 4, or may be performed in parallel. These procedures can berealized in the form of a program of a digital signal processor (DSP).

The procedures (S11) to (S16) constitute a Noise-Vocoded Speech Soundgeneration procedure (S100).

The band selection procedure (S11) may be provided with a languageautomatic recognition procedure for, for example, Japanese, English,German or Chinese, and the number of the frequency bands and theboundary frequencies defining the frequency bands that correspond to therecognized language may be selected. The technique for languageautomatic recognition is known and therefore is not described in detailhere.

Embodiment 6

Hereinafter, an embodiment of a training method will be described. FIG.5 is an example of a flowchart of the procedures that realize thefunctions of the training device of the present invention.

When a training program is started, in the sound source selectionprocedure (S20), a predetermined word or sentence that is to bepresented is selected from the sound source signal data and supplied tothe Noise-Vocoded Speech Sound generation procedure (S100). TheNoise-Vocoded Speech Sound generation procedure (S100) generatesNoise-Vocoded Speech Sound data. In the Noise-Vocoded Speech Soundpresentation procedure (S21), the generated Noise-Vocoded Speech Soundis converted to an analog sound signal, which is listened to by atrainee through an earphone. In the response procedure (S22), thetrainee inputs a word or a sentence that is understood by recognizingthe Noise-Vocoded Speech Sound that the trainee heard to the responseinput portion 15. An evaluation device determines whether or not theresponse data that has been input is correct in a response evaluationprocedure (S23), and in a correct answer presentation procedure (S24),the result of correct or in correct or a correct word or sentence isdisplayed in the display device. At this point, training for onequestion ends. A training program menu constituted by a series ofquestions can be implemented by repeating these procedures in thisorder.

Embodiment 7

Hereinafter, an embodiment of a game method will be described. If theratio of correct responses or the scores acquired from correct responsesis displayed in the correct answer presentation procedure (S24) of thetraining device procedure of FIG. 5, procedures for a game method can beobtained.

Embodiment 8

In the hearing aid of FIG. 1, an input signal from a microphone isapplied to the band filtering portion 1 through an input terminal 7.However, the input signal may contain an ambient noise component, inaddition to a sound component. In this case, the configuration of FIG. 6can be used. In FIG. 6, the input signal applied to the input terminal 7from the microphone is applied to the band filtering portion 1 through asound signal extracting portion 9. The sound signal extracting portion 9has the function of extracting sound signals from input signalscontaining ambient noise. Therefore, for example, a technique such asspectrum subtraction is used to suppress noise components other thansound signals contained in input signals.

Embodiment 9

In the training device of FIG. 2 or the training device of FIG. 3 andthe game device, when the signals of the sound source signal portion 10contain ambient noise other than sound components, the signals may beapplied to the band filtering portion 1 through the sound signalextracting portion 9 that is described with reference to FIG. 6.Furthermore, in a training device or a game device in which one of twopeople inputs a word or a sentence through the microphone, and the otherperson listens to the Noise-Vocoded Speech Sound thereof and guesses theoriginal word or sentence, ambient noise may be mixed, so that it ispreferable to provide the sound signal extracting portion 9.

Embodiment 10

FIG. 7 shows a configuration in which signals obtained by convertingsound signals to Noise-Vocoded Speech Sounds are previously stored inthe sound source signal portion 10 of the training device of FIG. 3 orthe game device, and a trainee listens to an output signal therefromthrough a headphone 13. Therefore, it is not necessary to provide theband filtering portions 1 and 4, the envelope extracting portion 2, themultiplying portion 3, the noise source 5, the adding portion 6, theband selecting portion 12 in FIG. 3. The same configuration can be usedin the training device of FIG. 2.

In all of the above-described embodiments, the number of the bandfilters of the band filtering portions 1 and 2 is 4 as a typicalexample. However, the number thereof is not limited to 4 and can be 4 orless or more. The number of the frequency bands that is suitable,depending on the situation, can be used.

A recording medium on which a program for a procedure for a hearing aidmethod, a procedure for a training method, or a procedure for a gamemethod of the present invention is recorded includes ROM, RAM, flexibledisks, CD-ROM, DVD, memory cards, hard disk on which the program isrecorded. Furthermore, the medium includes communication media such astelephone networks, and transmission paths.

INDUSTRIAL APPLICABILITY

The present invention relates to a hearing aid, a hearing trainingdevice, a game device and other devices that employ Noise-Vocoded SpeechSound obtained by subjecting at least one frequency band signal of asound signal to noise. In particular, the present invention relates todevices suitable to people with a neural disorder or trainers fortraining for recovery from a neural disorder.

1. A hearing aid forming a Noise-Vocoded Speech Sound signal that isobtained by dividing at least one portion of an input sound signal intoa frequency band signal and subjecting one of the frequency band signalsto noise, and outputting the Noise-Vocoded Speech Sound -signal.
 2. Ahearing aid forming a Noise-Vocoded Speech Sound signal that is obtainedby dividing at least one portion of an input sound signal into aplurality of frequency band signals and subjecting the frequency bandsignals to noise, and outputting the Noise-Vocoded Speech Sound signals.3. The hearing aid according to claim 1 or 2, wherein a Noise-VocodedSpeech Sound signal in which a component of a -sound source signal issubjected to noise is generated by: extracting a signal with apredetermined frequency band from the sound source signal by a firstband filtering portion having a plurality of band filters; extracting anamplitude envelope of each frequency band signal by an envelopeextracting portion having an envelope extractor; applying a noise sourcesignal to a second filtering portion having a plurality of band filtersto extract a noise signal corresponding to the predetermined frequencyband; multiplying an output from the first band filtering portion by anoutput from the second band filtering portion in a multiplying portion;and accumulating outputs from the multiplying porton in an addingportion.
 4. The hearing aid according to claim 1 or 2, wherein at leastone of a number of the band filters for division into frequency bandsignals and a frequency of a frequency band boundary can be changed atleast through language.
 5. The hearing aid according to claim 1 or 2,wherein at least one of a number of the band filters for division intofrequency band signals and a frequency of a frequency band boundary canbe changed through automatic language recognition.
 6. A training deviceoutputting a Noise-Vocoded Speech Sound signal that is obtained bydividing at least one portion of an input sound signal into a frequencyband signal and subjecting one of the frequency band signals to noise,receiving a response from a trainee and outputting a result as towhether the response is correct or incorrect.
 7. A training deviceoutputting a Noise-Vocoded Speech Sound signal that is obtained bydividing at least one portion of a sound signal into a plurality offrequency band signals and subjecting the frequency band signals tonoise, receiving a response from a trainee and outputting a result as towhether the response is correct or incorrect.
 8. The training deviceaccording to claim 6 or 7, wherein a Noise-Vocoded Speech Sound signalin which a component of a sound source signal is subjected to noise isgenerated by: extracting a signal with a predetermined frequency bandfrom the sound source signal by a first band filtering portion having aplurality of band filters; extracting an amplitude envelope of eachfrequency band signal by an envelope extracting portion having anenvelope extractor; applying a noise source signal to a second filteringportion having a plurality of band filters to extract a noise signalcorresponding to the predetermined frequency band; multiplying an outputfrom the first band filtering portion by an output from the second bandfiltering portion in a multiplying portion; and accumulating outputsfrom the multiplying portion in an adding portion.
 9. The trainingdevice according to claim 6 or 7, wherein at least one of a number ofthe band filters for division into frequency band signals and afrequency of a frequency band boundary can be changed at least throughlanguage.
 10. The training device according to claim 6 or 7, wherein atleast one of a number of the band filters for division into frequencyband signals and a frequency of a frequency band boundary can be changedthrough automatic language recognition.
 11. A game device outputting aNoise-Vocoded Speech Sound signal that is obtained by dividing at leastone portion of a sound signal into a frequency band signal andsubjecting one of the frequency band signals to noise, receiving aresponse from a game player and outputting a result as to whether theresponse is correct or incorrect.
 12. A game device outputting aNoise-Vocoded. Speech Sound signal that is obtained by dividing at leastone portion of a sound signal into a plurality of frequency band signalsand subjecting the frequency band signals to noise, receiving a responsefrom a game player and outputting a result as to whether the response iscorrect or incorrect.
 13. The game device according to claim 11 or 12,wherein a Noise-Vocoded Speech Sound signal in which a component of asound source signal is subjected to noise is generated by: extracting asignal with a predetermined. frequency band from the sound source signalby a first band filtering portion having a plurality of band filters;extracting an amplitude envelope of each frequency band signal by anenvelope extracting portion having an envelope extractor; applying anoise source signal to a second filtering portion having a plurality ofband filters to extract a noise signal corresponding to thepredetermined frequency band; multiplying an output from the first bandfiltering portion by an output from the second band. filtering portionin a multiplying portion; and accumulating outputs from the multiplyingportion in an adding portion.
 14. The game device according to claim 11or 12, wherein at least one of a number of the band filters for divisioninto frequency band signals and a frequency of a frequency band boundarycan be changed at least through language.
 15. The game device accordingto claim 11 or 12, wherein at least one of a number of the band filtersfor, division into frequency band signals and a frequency of a frequencyband boundary can be changed through automatic language recognition, 16.A sound output device, wherein a Noise-Vocoded Speech Sound signal inwhich a component of a sound source signal is subjected to noise isgenerated by: extracting a signal with a predetermined frequency bandfrom the sound source signal by a first band filtering portion having aplurality of band filters; extracting an amplitude envelope of eachfrequency band signal by an envelope extracting portion having anenvelope extractor; applying a noise source signal to a second filteringportion having a plurality of band filters to extract a noise signalcorresponding to the predetermined frequency band; multiplying an outputfrom the first band filtering portion by an output from the second bandfiltering portion in a multiplying portion; and accumulating outputsfrom the multiplying portion in an adding portion, and wherein at leastone of a number of the band filters for division into frequency bandsignals and a frequency of a frequency band boundary can be changed atleast through language.
 17. The sound output device according to claim16, wherein at least one of a number of the band filters for divisioninto frequency band signals and a frequency of a frequency band boundarycan be changed through automatic language recognition.
 18. The hearingaid according to claim 1 or 2, comprising a sound signal extractor forextracting only a sound component from an input signal, wherein said atleast one portion of an input sound signal is a signal of the soundcomponent extracted by the sound signal extractor.
 19. The trainingdevice according to claim 6 or 7, comprising a sound signal extractorfor extracting only a sound component from a signal, wherein said atleast one portion of a sound signal is a signal of the sound componentextracted by the sound signal extractor.
 20. The game device accordingto claim 11 or 12, comprising a sound signal extractor for extractingonly a sound component from a signal, wherein said at least one portionof a sound signal is a signal of the sound component extracted by thesound signal extractor.
 21. The sound output device according to claim16 or 17, comprising a sound signal extractor for extracting only asound component from a sound signal, wherein the sound source signalfrom which the first band filtering portion extracts is a signal of thesound component extracted by the sound signal extractor,